Round 8 U18 Torrens University Cup Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood kept in touch with the U18 Torrens University Cup top four with a 19-point win against Central District at X Convenience Oval.

Leading at every change against the Bulldogs, the Redlegs now sit just outside the finals placings on percentage, level with fourth-placed West Adelaide on premiership points.

Redlegs Logan Evans (25 disposals), Josh Bradford (19 disposals, one goal) and Tyson Walls (27 disposals, one goal) were instrumental in setting up the win as teammate Brayden Rachwal booted three majors.

Central’s Austin McDonald found a mountain of the ball with 39 disposals and six clearances while Finn Reed (27 disposals, one goal) was rated as the hosts’ best performer.

North Adelaide hung on for a thrilling six-point win against a persistent Sturt outfit at Wigan Oval.

Working hard to establish a 15-point lead midway through the final term, the Roosters were unable to score for the final eight minutes while the Double Blues kicked 1.3 to fall just shy of a memorable victory.

North’s Henry Wicks and Isaac Keeler (23 disposals and a goal each) were strong contributors as was the ever-consistent Billy Dowling, who collected 22 disposals and booted his team’s crucial last goal of the game.

Sturt’s Nick Sadler (17 disposals, one goal), key forward Chad Reschke (four goals, seven marks) and Tom McCourt (14 disposals) were rated highly by their coaches.

Woodville-West Torrens registered its first win of the U18 Torrens University Cup season with a hard-fought 10-point triumph against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Engineering a handy three-goal advantage by the final break, the Eagles were able to break their seven-game losing streak despite only kicking one major – to star utility Mattaes Phillipou – in the fourth term.

Phillipou, who kicked three goals to go with his 33 disposals, 10 marks and six clearances, was his team’s most influential player, while Jordan Tilbrook (19 disposals) and Liam Modystach (12 disposals) also played their roles.

West’s Adam Bunworth was a tackling machine with 13 to go with his 28 disposals while Liam Westdijk (30 disposals) and Judd Hansen (24 disposals, two goals) also battled hard.

South Adelaide built valuable percentage as it easily accounted for Glenelg by 72 points at Flinders University Stadium.

Desperate to drag themselves back into finals contention, the Panthers did exactly that with a commanding six-goal second term pivotal in securing the victory.

Prolific South midfielder Jaiden Magor was a standout with 41 disposals and two goals, while ruck Will Verrall (28 disposals, nine clearances) and forward Koby Cockshell (five goals) were also noteworthy contributors for the hosts.

Glenelg’s Jayden Davis was rated as his team’s best player with 23 disposals and a goal while Angus McKenzie and Jye Williamson earned praise from Bays officials for performing their roles amid challenging circumstances.